How to dose tablets properly
“If your prescription says three times a day, for example, this usually means splitting your dosages up in an even manner over the 24 hours of the day, that is, roughly every eight hours, rather than taking one tablet each in the morning, at noon, and in the evening,” explains Dr. Szilvia Sebők.
Where and how to store medicines
The expert warns that medicines that need to be refrigerated should not be kept in the refrigerator door, where the temperature is usually above the recommended 2-8 degrees Celsius. She adds that for preparations to be stored at room temperature, a maximum of 25 degrees Celsius is recommended, so in the summer heat, they should be kept in a cooler part of the home, such as the pantry, or on the bottom shelf of the fridge. Bathrooms are not ideal for storing medicines due to high humidity.
Can you divide a tablet or a suppository?
Not all medicines can be divided, but if there is a bisect on the tablet, it may indicate that the medicine can be split into two, says the chief pharmacist. In this case, do not divide the tablets with a knife, as they may crumble, but use a pill cutter instead. It may also happen that the dosage of a suppository intended for a child may be so small that there is no available product on the market of that strength, so it should be halved. In this case, the suppository should be cut lengthwise to ensure that the two halves contain the same amount of active substance.
What to do with expired products
Expired medicine should not be used, and as it cannot be disposed of in municipal waste, it should be placed in pharmaceutical waste bins.
Dr. Szilvia Sebők emphasizes that the correct use of medicine is key to effective and safe therapy, as it not only helps you to stay healthy but also contributes to the success of the treatment. Therefore, it is always worth consulting a pharmacist in case of doubt.
Orsolya Dávid
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Illustration: Envato Elements
